(Daniel iii.)
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, Who beholdest the deep, and sittest on the cherubim.
V. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven, and worthy of praise forever. Alleluia, Alleluia!
At solemn Mass the deacon places the book of Gospels on the altar, and the celebrant blesses the incense. The deacon, with joined hands, says:
Munda cor meum, ac labia mea, omnipotens Deus, qui labia Isaiæ prophetæ calculo mundasti ignito: ita me tua grata miseratione dignare mundare, ut sanctum Evangelium tuum digne valeam nuntiare. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
(Cleanse my heart and my lips, O almighty God, Who didst cleanse the lips of the prophet Isaias with a [pg 560] burning coal: vouchsafe so to cleanse me by Thy gracious mercy that I may be able worthily to proclaim Thy holy Gospel. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.)
Then he takes the book from the altar, and, kneeling before the priest, asks his blessing. The priest answers:
Dominus sit in corde tuo et in labiis tuis, ut digne et competenter annunties Evangelium suum. Amen.
(The Lord be in thy heart and on thy lips, that thou mayest worthily and in becoming manner announce His Gospel. Amen.)
V. Dominus vobiscum.